Today, Samsung unveiled a new line of AV products in Singapore which includes the Samsung HT-BD8200 that claims to be the world’s first Blu-ray sound bar, and also the R1 and M1 “Beat” MP3 players.

SINGAPORE, 1 October 2009 – Samsung Electronics today introduced a new line-up of digital audio-visual products that goes beyond exciting the auditory senses by offering new features and enhancements for a simpler, more holistic entertainment experience. The world’s first Blu-ray Sound Bar, the Samsung HT-BD8200, brings big sounds from a small unit. The R1 and M1 “Beat” MP3 Players are compatible with DivX format and also have a one-step feature for easy upload of content.

In addition, Singapore consumers will now be able to directly stream online content from the world’s most popular video portal, YouTube, with a new firmware upgrade available to all 2009 Samsung Blu-ray products. Already capable of accessing all types of content like movies, music and photos, Samsung Blu-ray products now open up a new front for entertainment in the living room. The YouTube service features a variety of video clips, including the most popular or highly rated videos; and allows for video search through a mobile phone-like on-screen key pad. Users of the BD-P1600, BD-P3600, BD-P4600 Blu-ray Players and HT-BD1252 Blu-ray Home Theatre System can install this free upgrade by downloading the firmware from the Samsung website at www.samsung.com/sg.

Adding further convenience for consumers constantly on-the-go who want wide access to different multimedia files, the R1 and M1 “Beat” MP3 Players come with Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface, as well as the “Drag and Drop” one-step feature for fuss-free uploading of multimedia files. Known in the industry for its high fidelity sound quality in its MP3 players, the “Beat” MP3 Players are installed with Samsung’s DNSe 3.0 (Digital Natural Sound Engine) for crystal clear and life-like sounds.

*Note that the upgrade for YouTube is product specific and users would need to go to the site to download and burn the program into a CD, then play it in the Blu-ray disc player to upgrade it.

HT-BD8200 Blu-ray Home Theatre Sound Bar

A 2009 CES “Best of Innovations” Award honouree, the HT-BD8200 is the world’s first Home Theatre Sound Bar built with a Blu-ray player and wireless subwoofer that promises heightened auditory levels with unmatched ease-of-use. It features a fully integrated Blu-ray player with Full HD 1080p playback and virtual 5.1-channel HD surround sound for a surreal audio experience.

Designed for simplicity with a classy air of sophistication, the HT-BD8200 is a wall-mountable home theatre sound bar at about 6.5 centimetres deep infused with Samsung’s Crystal Design to complement Samsung LED TVs. The HT-BD8200’s wireless subwoofer provides users with absolute flexibility, as the unit can be easily placed in any interior space while contributing to an effective audio performance.

For added user convenience, Samsung has included a variety of features which include support for an extensive range of multimedia formats. The HT-BD8200 also has Samsung’s “Smart Volume” technology that automatically maintains consistent volume levels across changing audio sources without the need to pick up the remote controller.

Equipped with wireless networking across 802.11 b/g/n bands through an optional USB dongle, the HT-BD8200 is able to wirelessly stream multimedia files from PC computers for additional home entertainment.

The Samsung HT-BD8200 Blu-ray Home Theatre Sound Bar is now available at a recommended retail price of S$1,499.

R1 “Beat” MP3 Player

The Samsung R1 “Beat” MP3 Player is designed for the mobile user who wants a rich multimedia experience. The R1 is as slim as a credit card and measures a mere 8.9mm and weighs 50grams. It also boasts being the world’s first DivX-certified MP3 player with a dynamic 2.6-inch touch-sensitive screen. The TV-out function expands the R1’s use by allowing multimedia files to be displayed on a TV with a USB port.

The R1 also comes with the “Beat DJ” feature for personalization of sounds allowing users to edit songs by in sound effects through a ‘scratch record’ feature, and layering voices over songs.

Available in 8GB, the Samsung R1 “Beat” MP3 Player is available in black or silver at a recommended retail price of S$299.

M1 “Beat” MP3 Player

The premium Samsung M1 “Beat” encased in a scratch-resistant metal design features a 3.3-inch wide AMOLED touch-sensitive screen that displays an impressive picture and video quality. The M1 is packed with features such as DNSe sound enhancement, MicroSD slot, built-in stereo speaker, FM radio, voice recording and Bluetooth capabilities. The M1 also has customizable flash-based widgets.

Available in 8GB and 16GB, the Samsung M1 “Beat” MP3 Player will be available in black at the end of 2009.